Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-01-01
PART III.

MRS. HidhrboDf' patch, and that they
we're now in the Office of the hotel, wait
ing her pleasure. Mr.. Ryder further in
formed her that these gentlemen had only
stipulated that they should not reveal their
real names, and that they should be intro
duced to her simply as the respective "Seven-
ty-four" and "Seventy-five" who had signed
the dispatch sent to the late Mr.. Rightbody
Mrs. Rightbody at first demurred to this;
but, on the assurance from Mr.. Ryder that
this was the only condition on which an
interview would be granted, finally coll
sented.
"You will find them square men, even II
they arc little rough, ma'am. But, If you'd
like me to be present, I'll stop; though
reckon, If ye'd calkilsted on that, you'd have
had me take care o. your business by proxy.
and not come yourself three thousand miles
to do it."
Mrs Rightbody believed it better to $50
them alone.
"An right, ma'am. I'll hang round ont
hero; and Of ye should happen to hov a tick
lin in your throat, and bad spell o. coughin',
I'll drop in, careless like, to see if you don't
want them drops Sabe 7"
And with an exceedingly arch wink, and .
slight familiar tap on Mrs. Rightbody's shoul-
der, which might have caused the late Mr..
Rightbody to burst his sepulchre, he with
drew.
A very timid, hesitating tap on the door
was followed by the entrance Of two men,
both Of whom, in general size, strength, and
uncouthness were ludicrously inconsistent
with their difident announcement They
proceeded in Indian file to the center Of the
roem, faced Mrs. Rightbody, acknowledged
her deep courtesy by strong shake of the
hand, and, drawing two chairs opposite to
her, sat down side by side
u presume have the pleasure of address
ing-" began Mrs. Rghtbody.
The man directly opposite Mrs. Rightbody
turned to the other inquiringly.
The other man nodded his head, and re-
piled:
"Seventy-four"
aSeventy.ive," promptly followed the
other.
Mrs Rightbody paused, little confused
II havo sent for you," she began again,
ITO learn something more Of the circum-
stances under which you gentlemen sent a
dispatch to my late husband"
1.-THE circumstances" !" replied Seventy four,
quietly, with a side glance at his companion,
"panned out about in this yer style. We
hung man, named Josh Silsbie, down at
Deadwood for hoss stealn'. When I say zoe,
speak for Seventy-five yer as is present,
as well as representa- SO to speak, seventy
two other gents as is scattered. We hung
Josh Silsbie on squar', pretty squar', evidence.
Afore he was strung up Seventy-five yer
axsd him, accordin to CUSTOM eff ther was
emmy thing he had to say, or emmy request
that he allowed to make Of us. He turns to
Seventy-fiv yer, and"
Here he paused suddenly, looking at his
companion.
"Hs sez, sez he," began Seventy five, taking
up the narrative-"he sez, Kin I write a
letter. sez he. Sez I, Not much, ole man;
ye've got no time.' Sez he, kin send a dis
patch by telegraph I sez, 'Heave ahead.'
He sez-these is his dientikal words-'Send to
Adam Rightbody, Boston Tell him to re-
member his sacred compack with me thirty
years ago."
"'His sacred compack with me thirty years
ago." echoed Seventy -four-"his dientikal
words"
"What was the compactr asked Mrs. Right
body anxiously.
Seventy-four looked at Seventy five, and
then both arose and retired to the corner Of
the parlor, whers they engaged in a slow but
whispered deliberation. Presently they re-
turned and sat down again.
eve allow" said Seventy-four, quietly but
decidedly, athat you know what that sacred
compact was"
Mrs. Rightbody lost her temper and her
truthfulness together. "Of course" she said
hurriedly, II know. But do you mean to say
that you gave this poor man no further chance
TO explain before you murdered himp
Seventy-four and Seventy-five both rose
~. ~, -'svly.s: .s:.ss', ,s.ieaa Na When mt they re-